Movie Mondays: Lions for Lambs

In honor of July 4th, I thought I would share a movie that was truly inspiring, making me want to be not only a better American, but more importantly, a better citizen of the world. This 4th of July has made me reflective about the state of our country and the state of our world in general. Last week, Jon Stewart said that maybe we need to change our whole game plan regarding trying to be the world's police; sometimes just like with a bad relationship, you have to walk away because if not, it will crush you like these wars are crushing America.
This movie touches on some of these themes and the corruption of our government and the sacrifices of so many "lambs" (aka young men and women in the military) for the sake of lions (aka the big shots in government who create war strategies like they are marketing campaigns, often with very little or no experience in the thick of battle). In a time when so many soldiers are dying, so many families are suffering, and the economy keeps diving, this movie encourages the government to think outside the box and stop trying the same old methods.
The desperation in the air in this movie and in our current state of affairs shows that we can't keep making the same mistakes and trudging forward as is. Radical change about our approach to education, citizenship, war, and journalism need to happen and happen quickly. The two main characters that push for this change are Harvard students attending on full athletic scholarships. In many ways, they feel like they don't belong and have to constantly fight for not only their grades and to maintain their scholarships, but also for the respect of their teachers and peers.
For a school project, they suggest a radical way to get people more involved as American citizens while also helping our reputation as Americans and to combat close-mindedness. In exchange for one year of service in the Peace Corps or military service, students would get some college paid for along with, of course, the experience that would help expand their horizons and make them appreciate not only hard work but other cultures. In addition, the experience would help make students see themselves as global citizens fighting to better the plight of all mankind, not just Americans.
This movie should be watched by every human being, period. It will inspire you to think of creative ways to contribute to society using your strengths with the main goal being to emphasize the need for open-mindedness. Narrow, naive, and downright stubborn thinking must be eliminated if we are to pull ourselves out of our stubborn grasp on an outdated American Dream. These main characters show that in order to "be the change you want to see in the world" (Gandhi), you have to be passionate about something and tap into your creativity to figure out the best ways for YOU to contribute positively to the world as a whole, not just your small bubble of a world.
In addition to these all-important lessons, the acting is without a doubt wonderful--it's Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep, and Robert Redford ('nuff said) who starred, directed and produced the film. While box office numbers weren't favorable for the film, I think that was just a result of people not wanting to face realities of war and the power of the government over the lives of so many.
Lions for Lambs brilliantly weaves three stories--the Peace Corps boys and their professor, the senator with a new military strategy yet no military experience, and the reporter that dishes out not hard-nosed, factual stories but instead regurgitates what the senator wants her to say--into one brutally honest plot that begs for us to stand up for what is right and necessary to turn our great falling country around.